Elden Ring:After the end

Dusk had arrived in the Midlands, though in the capital city of Leyndell it is almost impossible to notice, thanks to the continuous glow belonging to the Golden Tree.

But it's not just the bath of golden light that makes Leyndell look alive this evening, its streets are full of life, vibrant markets, food stalls and much more. 

"You're not going to thank me, I saved you from choking to death on papers."

Nibbling on the food in her left hand, the young woman with long white hair and draconic features, moves swiftly between the nearby stalls. 

"No... It wasn't that bad, Lansseax."

"Do you want to go back there, Aldrich?"

"¡Please don't!"

Almost wanting to cry as he blurts out his last words, the now recognized as Aldrich grabs the white scaly tail in one swift motion, only to pull it back and stop Lansseax in his tracks. 

"Aren't you planning to pay?"

"Aldrich, everything is free... Money is worthless."

"What? Then how come we buy and sell?"

It had been such a surprise that Aldrich, who by the way let loose Lansseax's scaly tail, after hearing his words, froze. 

"Barter for the most part."

"What's out of barter is gold?"

"Yes, but not because of its value, but because of what it represents. The runes would also be useful, of course, if there is someone willing to part with them"

The light atmosphere of before is nowhere to be found anymore, though it has not become stifling or rigid either, only the subject at hand makes it seem so.

"Well, at least I have a base... I'm going to have to reestablish the monetary system, the most basic in gold, silver, copper. Also."

Aldrich had been lost in thought, so much so that he didn't notice the change in Lansseax and his clear annoyance with him. 

"Get out of there already!"

Wagging her tail gracefully, it twists as if it were a whip and heads for Aldrich's face, though he stops it with a hand. 

"It's best not to say it when you're going to make a secret attack."

"Hump, I didn't mean to hit you. If I had wanted to, you wouldn't have seen it coming."

"Is this about your pride talking?"

Releasing the tail he had grabbed again, Aldrich's lips form a smile and he points out the clear hubris in his words. 

Lansseax obviously didn't care one bit for that pointing out, even raising his head proudly and walking away. 

...Aldrich pov…

The escapade with Lansseax was certainly fun, but I couldn't leave all the work behind and escape to the festival, unbelievably I have principles. 

So now I'm back in the meeting room again, although I quickly noticed again the reason why Lansseax so easily convinced me to escape. 

"Al, you're there!"

Being half-melodramatic, I raise my voice, all in an attempt to get Al to answer me out of all this mountain of papers. 

By the way, I've noticed that I have more "humanity" today... That's thanks to my memories slowly dusting themselves off. Now I can even remember the night cavalries, useless enemies if I must say... Yes, a great advance. 

"You're back my lord... You've finally managed to escape from that lizard!"

"That's right, it was difficult... But I made it."

Obviously I can't tell you that the "Abduction" by Lansseax was fake, neither that I even stayed near the door so it was easier to abduct and carry away. 

What can I do, I don't have the makings of a clerk, let alone someone who stands still in one place... Umm, I need something to happen. Oh, no, Murphy, don't listen to me!

...Somewhere else…

The surrounding air is parched, as is the earth, the visible light and everything in sight or not so in sight. 

Everything here seems to be "Dead" not in the normal sense of the word, but closer to the concept of "Death" i.e. devoid of life. 

"The Lord has spoken, all our actions have not been in vain... And only the end is missing."

Kneeling down showing clear devotion only to her appearance, a woman dressed absolutely in black, lifts her veiled face and gazes towards the deformed monstrosity before her. 

It was a monstrous fusion between a human, what looks like a fish, rotting roots and darkness. All of that wouldn't be so bad, but the atmosphere around that thing is filled with "Death". 

"Tell us priestess... Tell us what our lord transmits to you."

With a voice that gives off malice, a skeletal being with white bones, torn mage robe, eyes of black flames and aura of death, makes his request. 

It is obviously an undead wizard, but those with more experience in the occult, refer to this creature as liches. 

"Who has the repairing Rune of the Prince of Death... It is Aldrich, the current Lord of the Circle."

She spoke slowly, and at no time did she stop staring fanatically at the monstrosity, but still everyone here heard the words. 

"Well, well, well... Hehehehehe, fate seems to desire our revenge."

Who opens his mouth currently is a huge dragon, more precisely an imposing skeletal dragon, which easily occupies about 60 meters. 

Strangely it has only one eye socket illuminated by the flame of death, while from inside its bony body, the necropalaga spreads outwards. 

"Fortissax, you'll have to stand in line and a very long one if I'm absolutely sure of it."

Stopping the maniacal laughter of the dragon now known as Fortissax, who makes an appearance is a translucent being with an unrecognizable face. 

It is a spirit, though in an extraordinary way it has a solidity that makes it not unlike a human and you can tell that, obviously thanks to the footprints behind it. 

"Everyone will have their time, but now it's time to keep collecting more bodies. It won't be long now... our preparation will be rewarded."

Reassuring the dragon and the wraith who look ready to fight each other, the black-clad priestess looks away from her god, so she can look down.

Beneath this strange construction of necrotic vines, lies an ancient city destroyed and flooded, but that's not what's really important here. 

It was a skull, but not just any ordinary skull, but one that is easily half the size of the Fire Giant... YES, such a skull can only belong to those found in Caelid. 

"We will follow your wishes... Priestess, all for our lord."

"One more moment of waiting, it makes no difference."

"Grr, I'm going to keep chasing those Noxes."

Lich easily accepted the priestess' words, while the wraith doesn't seem to care at all, but on the other hand he dragon doesn't seem to want to get bored. 

"You can only corner them, we can't let them escape to Necrolimbo through the hole in Nokron."

"Fine..."

Accepting his conditions, the dragon's spectral wings open and with one motion it disappears from the place in question. 

"Difficult to control, he Lich."

"Nothing is difficult with the power of the Lord... But keeping this personality afloat... Yes it is."

Speaking periodically, Lich speaks his thoughts and begins to leave the place, only leaving behind his footsteps a trail of death.